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Writing "Thank You!" Postcards to Congress from Your Health Center

In November 2023, NACHC distributed postcards to health centers that were delivered by hand or by mail to their congressional offices. In total, 190 health centers from 19 states distributed over 11,700 postcards to their Members of Congress! The postcard design is now available to download here in its original format, and in a bilingual English-Spanish format!

You can deepen staff and patients’ connection to your health center while strengthening your relationship with lawmakers and their local staff! To maximize their use, make these postcards available during clinical visits, advocacy meetings, board meetings, and staff get-togethers.

 

Step 1. Download PDF file of postcard. Print on cardstock paper (65lb or 80lb thickness are good choices), rather than regular copy paper. Print as many copies as you need, then reload the paper into the same tray in the opposite direction to print the postcard fronts and backs on the reverse side of the cardstock. See the screenshot below for guidance – you may want to print a test copy first!

* The postcard dimensions are 5.5 x 8.5″. Each sheet of cardstock, after being cut in half, produces 2 postcards. These oversized postcards can be sent through USPS as First-Class Mail letters using standard $0.68 stamps. Smaller sizes such as 4×6″ can use $0.53 postcard stamps.

Step 2. Write a message based on your personal values and experience providing and/or receiving care at a health center! Current talking points and messaging can be found on our website here.

 

Step 3. Sign your name with your address and ZIP Code. Make sure that the Senator or Representative knows you are their constituent and a voter in their district ― that’s who they want to hear from! Use this link to find your Members of Congress, if needed: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

 

Step 4. We recommend addressing postcards to district offices to avoid Capitol Hill’s security-based delay of 2+ weeks. District offices can be found on your Member’s official website. Remember to affix stamps before mailing, or deliver a thick bundle directly to their office to show off your health center’s popularity!

 

Best Practices:

  • Ask 2 or more colleagues at your health center to help with this effort.
  • Use postcards as conversation starters – why are your colleagues, board members, and patients grateful for your health center?
  • Determine a date/place to collect the postcards.
  • Create a postcard delivery plan with your health center leadership.
  • Make this fun!
    • Host a postcard-writing party during an advocacy lunch.
    • Post photos of staff, board, and patients delivering the postcards.
    • Tag your Members of Congress on social media (find their social media accounts here).

 

Connect with us at grassroots@nachc.org if you have questions or want to share your wins!

 

Remember to tag us @HCAdvocacy, your health center, your PCA, and use the hashtag #ValueCHCs on social media so we can all amplify your success!

Shout-out to Northeast Valley Health Corporation for sharing these highlights from their postcard-writing campaign! 👇

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